Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976

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Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr., was born November 19, 1914, at Chuckatuck in Nansemond County, now the City of Suffolk, Virginia.

He completed public school and attended the college of William and Mary. He obtained his degree in law from the University of Virginia in 1938. Honorary doctorate degrees have been awarded him by Elon College, Roanoke College, Elmira College, the College of William and Mary, Washington and Lee University, Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Richmond and Bridgewater College.

While awaiting a commission in the U. S. Navy in World War II, he was appointed a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served for three years prior to resuming the practice of law in Suffolk until he was elected governor of Virginia in 1965.

He first entered politics in 1948 when he began service in the House of Delegates. From 1952 to 1962 he served in the State Senate of Virginia. He was lieutenant-governor of Virginia from 1962 to 1966. During the 26 years he held public office, he ran seventeen times and was never defeated.

His first election as governor in November 1965, came after he had received the Democratic nomination without opposition.

During his administration from 1966 to 1970, he became known as "Virginia's Education Governor," taking the lead in upgrading education at every level from kindergarten through graduate school. Initiated and developed during his first term was the State's system of community colleges, two-year colleges offering occupational-technical and liberal arts training at minimum tuition. Salary increases and other improved benefits were granted teachers and faculty members. State aid to kindergartens, summer schools and classes for the handicapped encouraged broader opportunities throughout Virginia, and a number of other innovations were made in the public schools and higher education. The momentum followed a series of governor's conferences on education early in the administration. He persuaded the General Assembly to enact the Retail Sales Tax which was the first new broad-based tax passed in Virginia in more than one hundred years.

He continued and enlarged the emphasis on industrial development begun by his predecessor, Governor Harrison. He led the first two foreign trade missions and engaged in other efforts designed to attract high caliber new industry to Virginia and to encourage expansion by firms already located in the State. He saw industrial development and education as the principal means of continuing progress in Virginia.

During his tenure, Virginia made major strides also in water and air pollution control, port and park development, interstate, arterial and other highway construction, highway safety, mental health and other areas of State concern.

A blue ribbon commission appointed by Godwin proposed the State's first constitutional revision in forty years. The result was approved overwhelmingly by the voters. He also proposed the first general obligation bond issue in this century and led the campaign in which Virginia's voters approved it by a margin of more than two to one.

As governor he served as chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board, Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Conference and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Governors Conference and the National Governors' Conference. He also served as Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

After serving as governor from 1966 to 1970, he returned home and became a Director of Standard Brands, Inc., Norfolk and Western Railway Company, Union Camp Corporation, Virginia Real Estate Investment Trust, and Dan River, Inc. and served as a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of Virginia National Bank. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation.

He resigned all of these posts after being elected governor a second time in November 1973, the first man ever twice elected by the people in Virginia to serve as Chief Executive. He was elected as the Republican nominee after being unopposed in their State Convention. He remains the only candidate in the country ever to win gubernatorial elections in the same state on both Democrat and Republican tickets.

During his second term as governor, he faced a series of crises of major proportions. The Arab oil embargo of late 1973 depressed the State's economy and the State revenues. As governor he ordered reduction of State spending by more than $200 million to keep the budget in balance and, as the economy improved later in his administration, he left a sizable surplus in the budget for his successor. Godwin dealt with the crises of shortages of gasoline, natural gas and fuel oil, the problem of Kepone, ten major floods and seven minor ones and the most serious drought in fifty years occurred in the last year of his administration which caused 115 of the State's 136 political jurisdictions to be designated as disaster areas. Despite these problems, Virginia's forward movement continued during his second term with major improvements in all areas, in job opportunities, and especially in our correctional programs and in public and higher education. He obtained approval from the General Assembly in 1977 for a Referendum on a $125 million General obligation Bond Program, largely earmarked for education and corrections, and again led the campaign which resulted in overwhelming approval for all five bond issues presented to the voters.

His leadership as governor was evidenced everywhere. Virginia's noted Pulitzer Prize winner and editor, Virginius Dabney, wrote that: "His two terms combine to form a series of constructive advances for the Commonwealth that are unsurpassed in the long history of Virginia's governors."

As governor from 1974 to 1978, he was Chairman of the Southern Governors Conference, a member of the Executive Committees of the National Governors' Conference and the Republican Governors' Conference. He was Chairman for the second time of the Southern Regional Education Board and Vice President of the Council of State Governments.

Godwin again returned to his home in Suffolk in January 1978, and served as a consultant to management and a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Virginia National Bank. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Union Camp Corporation, Standard Brands, Inc. and the Royster Company.

Married to the former Katherine Thomas Beale, Governor Godwin lived in Suffolk where for many years he owned and operated the 500-acre family farm. He has been active in the Oakland Christian Church, where he taught the Men's Bible Class for more than twenty-five years, and engaged in numerous community activities. He was a 33rd degree Mason, past president of Ruritan National, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi, the Raven Society and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was the recipient of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award, the Virginia National Guard's Distinguished Service Medal, the Virginia Education Association's citation as "Virginia's Education Governor," the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service from the old Dominion Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Centennial Medal from Hampton Institute, the Virginians of Maryland Medal, the FFA State Farmer Medal, also twice received a First Citizen's Award from Suffolk and Nansemond County, and the Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. Award from Norfolk State College, an award exemplifying highest caliber of statesmanship and interest in education in the Commonwealth. Virginia Military Institute has given him its New Market Medal, the highest award made by V.M.I.

On January 30, 1999, Mills E. Godwin Jr. died in Newport News, Virginia at the age of 84.

  • November 19 1914: Born at Chuckatuck, Virginia, Nansemond County.Son of Otelia Dardenand Mills Edwin Godwin,Sr. Sisters: Mary Lee,Mildred Elizabethand Leah Otelia
  • 1931: Graduated Chuckatuck High SchoolClass President, active in Debating and Speaking
  • 1931 - 32 : College of William and Mary,Norfolk Division
  • 1932 - 34 : College of William and Mary,Williamsburg
  • 1935 - 38 : University of Virginia Law School Law Degree, Raven Society, Omicron Delta Kappa
  • 1937: Passed State Bar Examination
  • 1938: Entered Law Profession
  • 1940: Married Katherine Thomas Bealeof Holland, Virginia
  • 1943 - 45 : Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • 1946: Re-entered Law Profession Involved in Nansemond Countycommunity programs
  • 1947: Nansemond County Nansemond County (historical) Nansemond County Jail (historical) Nansemond County Courthouse (historical) City of Suffolk City of Suffolk Member of Virginia State Bar Association Elected to Virginia House of Delegates, representing Nansemond Countyand the City of Suffolk
  • 1948 - 52 : Member, Virginia House of Delegates Served on following committees: Insurance and Banking, Chesapeake and Its Tributaries, Executive Expenditures, Game and Inland Fisheries, and Nominations and Confirmations
  • 1948: Virginia Virginia North Carolina North Carolina Member Board of Directors, Bank of Whaleyville, Virginia;Member Board of Trustees, Elon College, North Carolina
  • 1949: Active in Oakland Christian Church and civic clubs, lodge, regional and other community activities
  • 1951: Southampton, Nansemond and Isle of Wight counties Suffolk Suffolk Days Inn Suffolk Va Suffolk Downs Station Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk Suffolk (historical) Suffolk Police Narcotics Suffolk Police Department Sector 1 Suffolk West Shopping Center WAFX-FM (Suffolk) Suffolk Pines Suffolk Hill South Suffolk Stud Chabad Center of Mid Suffolk Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk Social Services Building Suffolk University Suffolk County Community College Selden Campus Suffolk Park City of Suffolk Suffolk Swallow Suffolk Hotel Suffolk Suffolk downs Racecourse Franklin Franklin Franklin Senior High School Franklin Center High School Franklin County High School Franklin Cemetery Franklin School Franklin Hill Country Club Franklinton Junior High School Franklin Gulf Franklin School City of Franklin Franklin Township Fire Department Station 52 Franklin K Lane High School Franklin Creek Franklin Cemetery Franklin School (historical) Franklin School Franklin Mountain Franklin School Franklin School New Franklin Franklin Ferry Bridge Columbus Division of Fire Station 10 Franklinton Engine House Elected in special election to Virginia State Senate, Fifth Senatorial District, representing Southampton, Nansemond and Isle of Wight counties,and the cities of Suffolkand Franklin>
  • 1952: Elected President of Ruritan National
  • 1952 - 62 : Member, Virginia State Senate Served on following committees: Chairman, Fish and Game; Finance; Courts of Justice; Counties, Cities and Towns; Enrolled Bills, and Welfare
  • 1954: Awarded Honorary Degree by Elon College Appointed to Public School Study Commission by Thomas B. Stanley, governor of Virginia
  • 1961: Elected lieutenant-governor of Virginia
  • 1962 - 66 : Served as lieutenant-governor of Virginia
  • 1965: Elected Democratic governor of Virginia
  • 1966 - 70 : Served as governor of Virginia - First Administration "Virginia's Education Governor," initiated Community College System and upgraded education at all levels, persuaded General Assembly to enact retail sales tax
  • 1966: Awarded Honorary Degree by College of William and Mary in Virginia
  • 1967: Led first European Trade Mission
  • 1969: Played important role in projecting a revised constitution for Virginia Awarded Honorary Degree by Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia
  • 1970 - 73 : Private Citizen Member, Board of Directors of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation and Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Member, Board of Directors: Standard Brands, Inc., Norfolk and Western Railway Company, Union Camp Corporation, Virginia Real Estate Investment Trust, Dan River Mills, Inc. and Virginia National Bank (Executive Committee)
  • 1970: Awarded Honorary Degree by Washington and Lee University Honorary chairman, Committee of Virginians for the Constitution; Advisory Committee, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. 'sU. S. Senate Campaign
  • 1971: Served on the advisory committee, George J. Kostelfor lieutenant-governor campaign
  • 1972: Awarded Honorary Degree by Elmira College, Elmira, New York Advisory Committee, Re-election of President Richard M. Nixon
  • 1973: Awarded Honorary Degree by Hampden-Sydney College Elected Republican governor of Virginia
  • 1974 - 78 : Served as governor of Virginia - Second Administration First person ever twice elected in Virginia to serve as Chief Executive and first in United States to be elected on both Democratic and Republican tickets
  • 1974: Awarded Honorary Degree by the University of Richmond Awarded Honorary Degree by Bridgewater College
  • 1976: Played important role in Bicentennial celebration
  • 1977: Awarded Navy Public Service Citation
  • 1978: Private citizen Returned to services as consultant and director of various boards Awarded New Market medal by Virginia Military Institute
  • January 30, 1999: Died at Newport News, Virginia.

From the guide to the Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers, 1947-1989., (Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Combs, Everett R. (Everett Randolph), 1876-1957. Papers of Everett R. Combs, 1932-1957 (bulk 1946-1949). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Imler, Joseph Anthony. Papers related to the Howard Worth Smith collection [manuscript], 1938-1973. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Tonahill, Violett Smith. Violett Smith Tonahill letter to Bruce Dierenfield [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dierenfield, Bruce J., 1951-. Papers relating to Dierenfield's biography of Howard W. Smith [manuscript], 1962-1981. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Tuck, William M. (William Munford), 1896-1983. Papers, 1918-1968. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Muse, Benjamin. Papers of Benjamin Muse [manuscript], 1934-1966. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Brauer, Carl. Carl Brauer letter to Bruce Dierenfield [manuscript], 1979 March 19 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Byrd, Harry Flood, 1887-1966. Papers of Harry Flood Byrd, [manuscript],1928-1965. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dierenfield, Bruce J., 1951-. Papers relating to Dierenfield's biography of Howard W. Smith[manuscript], 1978-1985. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Almond, J. Lindsay (James Lindsay), 1898-1986. Gilmer family papers [manuscript], 1918-1960. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 1 : Interviews re general issues relating to the NLRB, 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Bibb, William Emmet,. Papers of W.E. Bibb and other Louisa County, Va., families [manuscript], 1830-1940. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Hunter, George Lawrence, 1903-1984. Papers, 1948-1975. Virginia Historical Society Library
creatorOf Dure, Leon Sebring, 1907-. Papers of Leon Sebring Dure [manuscript], 1957-1970. University of Virginia. Library
Howard W. Smith Collection National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Godwin, Mills E. (Mills Edwin), 1914-1999. Papers, 1947-1989. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Harrison, Francis Burton, 1873-1957. Francis Burton Harrison papers [manuscript], 1921-1945, no date. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn James H. Latimer Papers, 1864-2000 Library of Virginia
creatorOf Johnson, Meredith. Correspondence with prominent Americans [manuscript] 1948-57. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Alexandria Library (Alexandria, Va.). Records : of the Alexandria Public Library and branches, 1937-[ongoing]. Alexandria Library. Local History / Special Collections (Alexandria, Va.)
creatorOf Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers, 1947-1989. Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
creatorOf Kilpatrick, James Jackson, 1920-2010. James J. Kilpatrick papers [manuscript], 1925-1966 (bulk 1950-1966). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dierenfield, Bruce J., 1951-. Oral history interviews, 1975-1984. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Tonahill, Violett Smith. Violett Smith Tonahill letter to Bruce Dierenfield [manuscript] University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn University of Virginia. Board of Visitors. Board of Visitors certificates of recognition and farewell, 1960. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Papers of Howard Worth Smith, [manuscript] 1901-1972 (bulk1933-1966). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mims, D. Lathan, 1917-1987. Papers of D. Lathan Mims [manuscript], 1960-1982. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Fenwick, Charles R. (Charles Rogers), 1901-1969. Papers : of Charles Rogers Fenwick, 1938-1973. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Muse, Benjamin. Papers : of Benjamin Muse, 1934-1966. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Byrd, Harry Flood, 1887-1966. Papers of Harry Flood Byrd [manuscript] 1911-65. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Johnson, Augustus C., 1914-. Breaking the Byrd grip, n.d. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf White, John Shelton, 1871-. Papers and scrapbook of John Shelton White [manuscript] 1913-42. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 5 : Interviews re the NLRB after Taft-Hartley (post 1947), 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Keynote address given at the Va. State Democratic Convention, Va. Beach, Va. [manuscript] 1960 May 21. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Papers of Howard Worth Smith [manuscript] 1920-1976. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Byrd, Harry Flood, 1887-1966. Papers of the Fishburne family [manuscript] 1813-1960. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Hench, Atcheson Laughlin, 1891-1974,. Papers of Atcheson Laughlin Hench [manuscript] 1938. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Letter to John Cook Wyllie, about the James Madison memorial [manuscript] 1961 Sept. 21. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Address to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1958 January 25. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dierenfield, Bruce J., 1951-. Papers relating to Dierenfield's biography of Howard W. Smith [manuscript], 1969-1985. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 12 : Interviews re Congress and the NLRB, 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924. Papers of the Dabney family [manuscript] 1792 [1880-1971]. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Hart, James, 1896-1959. Letters to Professor James Hart from eminent Americans in the fields of politics and political science on governmental policy and problems [manuscript] 1915-1953. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. Papers of Howard Worth Smith, [manuscript] 1936-1969. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 13 : Interviews re Smith Committee investigation of the NLRB, 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Howard W. Smith Collection. 1944 - 1944. Motion Picture Film National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Nalle, Eleanor Ritchie. Correspondence of Eleanor Ritchie Nalle [manuscript] 1929-62. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Almond, J. Lindsay (James Lindsay), 1898-1986,. Gilmer family papers, 1918-1960. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Shackelford, Virginius Randolph, 1885-1949,. Papers of the Shackelford family [manuscript] 1890-1969. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 11 : Interviews re A.F. of L.-NLRB relations, 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Smith, Howard Worth, 1883-1976. The erosion of Constitutional Government, 1957 October 9. University of Virginia. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abbitt, Watkins Moorman, 1908- person
associatedWith Albert, Carl Bert, 1908-2000 person
associatedWith Alexandria Library (Alexandria, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith A. Willis (Absalom Willis) Robertson person
associatedWith Bibb, William Emmet, person
associatedWith Brauer, Carl. person
associatedWith Byrd, Harry Flood, 1887-1966. person
associatedWith Churchill, Winston S. (Winston Spencer), 1940-2010. person
associatedWith Combs, Everett R. (Everett Randolph), 1876-1957. person
associatedWith Council of Europe. (1951 : Strasbourg) corporateBody
associatedWith Council of Europe. Consultative Assembly (1951 : Strasbourg) corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Party (Va.). corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Party (Va.). Convention (1960) corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Party (Va.) State Central Committee. Eighth Congressional District. corporateBody
associatedWith Dierenfield, Bruce J., 1951- person
associatedWith Dodd, William Edward, 1869-1940. person
associatedWith Dure, Leon Sebring, 1907- person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Fenwick, Charles R. (Charles Rogers), 1901-1969. person
associatedWith Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006 person
associatedWith Godwin, Becky Katherine, 1953-1968 person
associatedWith Godwin family, family
associatedWith Godwin, Mills E. (Mills Edwin), 1914-1999. person
associatedWith Harrison, Albertis S. (Albertis Sydney), 1907-1995 person
associatedWith Harrison, Francis Burton, 1873-1957. person
associatedWith Hart, James, 1896-1959. person
associatedWith Howe, Howard. person
associatedWith Howell, Henry E. (Henry Evans), 1920- person
associatedWith Hunter, George Lawrence, 1903-1984. person
associatedWith Johnson, Augustus C., 1914- person
associatedWith Johnson, Meredith. person
associatedWith J. Sargeant (Julian Sargeant) Reynolds person
associatedWith Kilpatrick, James Jackson, 1920-2010. person
associatedWith Latimer, James Howe, 1913-2000. person
associatedWith Library of Congress. corporateBody
associatedWith Lowance, Carter O. (Carter Olin), 1910-1989 person
associatedWith Madison, James, 1749-1812. person
associatedWith Madison, James, 1751-1836 person
associatedWith Mims, D. Lathan, 1917-1987. person
associatedWith Murray, Elizabeth. person
associatedWith Muse, Benjamin. person
associatedWith Nalle, Eleanor Ritchie. person
associatedWith Peace Corps (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Rawlings, George C. person
associatedWith Ribble, F. D. G. (Frederick Deane Goodwin), 1898-1970 person
associatedWith Shriver, Sargent, 1915- person
associatedWith Smith, Howard K. (Howard Kingsbury), 1914. person
associatedWith Spong, William B. (William Belser), 1920- person
associatedWith Stanley, Thomas B. (Thomas Bahnson), 1890-1970 person
associatedWith Stephens, Allie Edwards Stokes. person
associatedWith Tonahill, Violett Smith. person
associatedWith Tuck, William M. (William Munford), 1896-1983. person
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Congress corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Congress. House. Committee on Rules. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. National Labor Relations Board. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Supreme Court. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Virginia. Board of Visitors. corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia Governor (1978-1982 : Dalton) person
associatedWith White, John Shelton, 1871- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Virginia
Hawaii
Virginia
United States
Little Rock (Ark.)
United States
Salem Church Dam (Va.)
Austria--Vienna
Germany--Bonn
Arkansas--Little Rock
Subject
African Americans
Chlordecone
Civil rights
College of William and Mary
Conservatism
Constitutional law
Democratic Party (U.S.)
Economic assistance, Domestic
Education, Higher
International cooperation
Natural resources
Oral history
Oysters
Poverty
Primaries
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854-)
School integration
Segregation in education
Segregation in education
Statehood (American politics)
State rights
Subversive activities
Taxation
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1883-02-02

Death 1976-10-03

English

Information

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